Leno, A Lind Visit and Jack's Baptism

Our good friends, Kathy and Jim Jensen, treated us to a fun evening the end of April.

Jay Leno performed at Tuacahn to a sold-out crowd, 

and he delivered his stand-up comedy for almost two hours, non-stop.

Through all of those years he hosted the Tonight show,

we would watch once in awhile, 

enough to know that he is good, his comic timing and delivery natural and funny.

But we didn't realize, really, how good he is.

No cue cards or tele-prompters on stage, he flowed seamlessly, and mostly, 

he read his southern Utah, largely-Mormon audience.

He didn't rely on bad language to be funny,

 and when the show crept toward off-color, 

he quickly switched gears.

We had a fun evening laughing together.

Roger took a couple of quick shots right before the show.

Oh, brother, aren't selfies kind of crazy?

The first of April, Mindy, Jeff and kids stopped overnight 

on their way to spend Spring Break at Stacy and Tom's in Mesa. 

We realized we hadn't taken any pics, 

so Roger clicked a couple inside their car as they were leaving the next morning.

The Linds spent the week in Mesa, then drove back home to Highland Friday, April 8, 

so Jack could be baptized on Saturday morning.

Roger and I drove up north on Friday in time to do some shopping at Traverse Mountain, 

then were waiting in their home for the Linds to return.

Jack was excited to open his birthday present from us - 

his new set of scriptures, engraved with his name on the cover.

He was tickled, and wanted instructions on how to use the tabs.

Next morning, father and son were ready for the happy event.

Mom was pretty excited, too!

Jack had many well-wishers present.

The program was per Jack's requests:

Cousin Sadie's thoughts on baptism were beautifully expressed,

and Uncle Rick eloquently talked directly to Jack about the blessings and importance of the Holy Ghost 

and ways to have him with us always. 

And, oh my goodness, his little sister, five-year-old Adelaide, brought tears to our eyes 

when she sang, "Gethsemane."

We all drove to Jack's home afterwards to celebrate and enjoy a delicious brunch.

Of course, we had to take various pics to mark the special occasion.

The Jeff Linds

Jack with his proud Grandmas and Grandpas

Cute cousins and siblings

Jeff's brother, Scott, and family with Grandma Rosemary and Grandpa Brent

Mindy, Jeff and family with Rick, Jodie and kids (Katie was taking her first ACT test and Josh is in Hong Kong) and Grandma Pam and Grandpa Roger

The freshly-baked scones were yummy, and the granola/yogurt/berries parfaits 

and Rosemary's breakfast casserole were delicious.

Jack's Mandarin tutor accepted the invitation to come to the happy event.

After the brunch, we presented Jack with his Iron Rod shadow box Grandpa Roger made for him.

He listened attentively as Grandpa explained and talked about always holding to the iron rod.

Before we left to drive back home, Charlie opened his birthday present early 

so we could be there to see him open it.

He loved the books - he had to "read" them right then -

and the Spider Man light.

He's such a cute little guy!

We had to be home for Roger's High Council meetings on Sunday and I had our first big rehearsal 

of our choir for Stake Conference.

What a delightful Saturday we spent with the Linds,

and how grateful we are for our special grandson, Jack, 

and the important choice he made.

Renewal - A Baptism and Easter

Roger and I had a beautiful experience on Easter weekend.

Holly and Bob Laird, a wonderful couple who moved into the French Quarter of Sunbrook just over a year ago,

accepted the gospel and were baptized on Saturday, 

and confirmed in church on Easter Sunday.

There were almost 100 of our branch members/friends who attended the baptism.

There probably would have been more, but many went out of town for the holiday.

We could barely fit into the room with the baptismal font.

A lovely luncheon was held at their neighbor's home afterwards.

Easter is all about rebirth, renewal and our gratitude to Chris for his Atonement. 

What an appropriate, lovely and poignant predecessor to this beloved holiday!

Roger and I had our traditional grilled lamb chops and mint jelly, chives mashed potatoes, 

green salad, spring asparagus. . . 

. . .  and lemon strawberry shortcake for dessert.

Even without the baskets, jelly beans and colored eggs of our Easters Past, 

I love Easter!

New House & A 10th Birthday in Boise

A long-awaited day finally arrived for our Missy and family.

After selling their last home to the first people who went through it on the weekend they put it on the market, 

then seven long months in a rental home,

the Smiths recently moved into their newly-built home they designed.

Roger and I left for Boise on Monday, March 14, to help them unpack/set up/hang things, 
after completing our church assignments on Sunday. 

The INSTA-CHOIR sang, I Know That My Redeemer Lives! with great vigor, despite, 

or maybe because of the fact that the violinist was not able to come.

We found out that we are for real, without the show of the violin.
It sounded beautiful and I was so proud of them!

Hopefully, that vigor and confidence will be present next month when we sing for Stake Conference.

Lois treated us to a meal Monday evening when we arrived in Ogden and we had a good visit with her.

We have all been battling the flu and are each now on the mend.

We left for Boise on Tuesday morning, and when we drove up to their new home, 

Princess Claire was standing on their front porch, waiting for us.

She insisted on putting on her princess dress, her tutu and all of her jewels to greet us!

If you ever need any handyman projects done, 

Roger is your man!

The kids all love to have us visit so their dad can catch them up on whatever little job needs to be done.

Roger can fix anything!

So we helped unpack, ran errands, tended kids, hung, measured and hammered things, shopped and cooked 

and loved being with the kids!

What a delightful family they are!

And what a lovely new home they have!

The night before St. Patrick's Day, a sneaky little leprechaun visited and tipped over chairs 

and dyed the toilet water and the milk green.

After the big kids went to school,

we got a pic of her with the littles.

We had a real treat that morning when we went to watch Claire dance in her tap and ballet class.

Oh, my, we have a future star on our hands!

Claire absolutely loves to dance!

We took Missy and Claire to lunch at my favorite sushi place.

So good!

We also got to go to the middle school's history club presentation about ancient Egypt the night before. 

 Sam did an excellent job with his presentation, talking off his notes in an engaging and interesting manner.

He's a natural!

Jared, who is now in high school, was one of three founders of the club, 

which chooses different topics in history, then each member researches and presents their info 

with visual charts, posters and power points on their electronic devices.

We were really impressed with the program.

A huge bonus to going to Boise was getting to be there on Ellie's birthday 

when she turned 10 years old!

On Friday night, she had a pajama party at their new home for 12 girls,

some from each of the three places they have lived in Boise.

Ellie is a sweetheart and has lots of nice friends!

The party was a dance and playing games in the dark in their family room, which has a disco ball, 

and in the sports court downstairs.

There were lots of glow in the dark things:

balloons, balls, necklaces, bracelets, rings, etc. 

The kids ate pizza, veggies and dip, chips . . .

. . . candy, cotton candy and, instead of a cake, Ellie's favorite, Krispy Kremes! 

We made Italian sodas for each girl and there was also Ellie's favorite, root beer.

Make a wish, Ellie!

On Saturday, before we left for Ogden, we took Ellie shopping for her present, 

then the whole family headed to Chick fil-A, for lunch.

We stayed with Lois overnight, watching some of the NCAA March Madness that evening.

Lois is a big sports fan!

 We went to the special telecast dedicatory church service 

for the new Provo City Center Temple 

in her ward with her the next morning.

She prepared a real feast for us before we left:

roast pork, candied yams, her special carrots, sauced baked potatoes, green salad and rolls 

and for dessert, apple cake with homemade caramel sauce and ice cream.

At 90 years old, she claims that she can't cook anymore.

 We beg to differ!

It was another great trip to Boise and Up North!

"Fire & Ice," Provo City Center Temple and Forever Families

The 12th Annual Fire & Ice, a fund-raising dinner, silent and live auction 

benefiting needs-based scholarships to Dixie State University

was held February 26, and Roger and I were invited to attend and sit at NAI's table.

Roger dusted off his tux from Murdock Travel days.

He still fit in it nicely, don't you think?

We enjoyed a fun evening together, running into friends from the branch and the community.

And speaking of fire and ice,

this historic Provo Tabernacle, constructed from 1883-1898,

was severely burned in a four-alarm fire on a cold December 17, 2010.

The First Presidency determined to restore it to become a temple,

so the entire structure was raised up and rebuilt.

The original intricately-carved pulpit was found intact,

and is one of the few original furnishings.

And the Church has been meticulous in documenting every detail 
 used to restore this truly lovely and beloved building.

The architecture and design motifs of the new building pay homage 

to the tabernacle's legacy. 

From the hinges on the doors to the intricacies of the woodwork,

 the temple gives a glimpse of a time long passed.

There are exquisite chandeliers and stained-lass windows, beautiful art, rich murals, 
millwork and furniture and carpets and decorations of all kinds.

The Open House before its dedication is soon to be over. 

Roger got tickets for us to go through the Open House on Tuesday morning, March 1, 

so we headed north on Monday afternoon and stayed with Mindy and Jeff Monday night.

We both experienced strong spiritual feelings in this lovely representative of the past,

especially when we entered the Celestial Room.

What a marvelous old/new House of the Lord,

where we can go to be sealed to our families forever!

After visiting Grandma and getting my hair done, we stopped by to visit Rick, Jodie and Kids.
  His knee is healing up nicely.
  We stayed another night with the Linds 
and caught up with Mindy and Jeff, Jack, Addie, Charlie and Fiona, who is walking everywhere - so cute! 
Kind of random, but along the lines of family happiness, 
I took a pic of this wisdom that is on Marilyn and Serge Woodruff's wall. 
Marilyn is one of my visiting teaching ladies.

And this special limited edition pastel of Christ with the little children is also there.

I think they are both rather fitting on the subject of eternal families.

It was a quick and fruitful trip Up North.